System and method of generating and utilizing electric currents for ignition and battery-storing purposes.



Y L. J. LE PONTOIS. I SYSTEM AND METHOD OF GENERATING AND UTILIZING ELECTRIC CURRENTS FOR IGNITION AND BATTERY STORING PURPOSES, APPLICATION FILED DEC. IIIQIO- 1,235,522. Patented July 31, 1917.

II SHEETS-SHEET I.

M55555: I J22 22522221 L. 1. LE PONTOIS. SYSTEM AND METHQD 0F GENERATING AND UTILIZING ELECTRIC CURRENTS FOR IGNITIO BATTERY STORING PURPOSES.

. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 7. 1910.

1,235,522. Patented July 31, .1917.

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SYSTEM AND METHOD OF GENERATING AND UTIL|ZING ELECTRIC CURRENTS FOR |GN |T|0N AND NG PURPOSES. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 7, 1910.

B'ATTERY STORI Patented July 31, 1917.

11 SHEETSSH'EET 3- L. 1 LE PONTOIS. SYSTEM AND METHOD OF GENERATING AND UTILIZING ELECTRIC CURRENTS FOR IGNITION AND BATTERY sroRlNG PURPOSES.

. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 7, I910- I 1,235,522. Patented July 31, 1917.

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APPLICATION FILED DEC. 7, I9IO 1,235,522.

Patented July 31, 1917.

II SHEETS-SHEET 5- L. 1. LE PONTOIS. SYSTEM AND ME H D OF GENERATING AND UTILIZING ELECTRIC CURRENT FOR IGNITION AND BATTERY- STORING PURPOSES. APP'LICATIOII FILED DEC. 7, I910.

1,235,522. PaIGntedJuly 31, 1917.

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APPLICATION FILED-DEC- 1, I910.

Patented July 31, 1917.

II SHEETS-SHEET 7.

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I. I. I E PONTOIS.

G AND UTILIZING ELECTRIC CURRENTS FOR IGNITION AND BATTERY STORING PURPOSES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 7, 1910. 1,235,522.

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF GENERATIN Patented July 31, 1917.

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Ly]. LE PONTOIS. .'SYS TEM AND METHOD OF'GE'NERATING AND UTILIZING ELECTRIC CUBRENTS FOR IeIIITIoIII AND I BATTERY STORING PURPQSEVS.

z I I I T: APPLICATION FILED DEC. 7. I910. 1235;522. Patented July 31, 191-7.

1 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

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, v L. 1'; (E P-ONTOIS. SYSTEM AND METHOD OF GENERATING AND UTILIZING ELECTRIC CURRENTS FOR IGNITION AND v BATTERY STORING PURPOSES." mule/m0" FILED DEC. 7. 1910.

' Patentd July 31,1917.

UNITED STATES PATENT our-ion.

LEON J'. LE PONTOIS, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF GENERATING AND UTILIZING ELECTRIC CURRENTS FOIR IGNITION AND BATTERY-STORING PURPOSES.

, I Application filedllecember 7, 1910. Serial No, 596,117.

To all whom it may ooncemt:

Be it known that I, LEON J. LE PoNTors, a citizen-of the Republic of France, resid ing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, U. S. A., have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Systems and Methods of Generating and Utilizing Electric Currents for Ignition and Battery-Storing Purposes,

of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to methods of and apparatus for generating and storing electric currents for ignition and other purposes.

One of the principal objects of my invention is the provision of an improved method of periodically and successively generating in the same magnetic field, currents which difi er in phase from each other and may be readily employed for different purposes. And a further object of the invention is the provision of an eficient system of devices by means of which such improved method can be carried out. Such a method of generating electric currents, and.such a system of devices, may, for example, be employed in a combined ignition and lighting system for motor cars. The current of one phase may be used for ignition pur poses, and that of another phase for light ing or battery charging purposes.

I have found in order to obtain from the same magnetic field structure the electrical energy required for the above mentioned purposes that it is advisable to so control the closing and opening of the separate generating circuits utilized for difi'erent purposes, or their respective resistances or impedances, that they do not exert any action or re-action on each other, and that each generating coil fully benefits in turn by the change of or variations in the density. of the magnetic field which threads periodically there-through.

It is a well known fact that in ignition systems where an electric generator is employed to deliver energy directly to the sparking circuits, the generator is not called upon at all times to deliver energy for ignition purposes, in reality current only being required periodically when it is necessary to ignite a charge of gas. Accord-v ingly, I have thought to derive from the same generator, or in other words from the same magnetic field structure, but from Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 31, 1917.

-minals of the generating coil to the termi nals of the battery that only such parts of the current are used as are generated in the coil by decrease of magnetic flux therethrough, thus avoiding deterioration of the permanent magnet.

Another object of my invention is the provision of an improved system for charging storage batteries from a source of alternating electro-motive force, the average value of. which varies irregularly. Apparatus for generating currents for ignition purposes .are driven at speeds varying through a wide range so that the average value of the electromotive force generated also varies widely. To make possible the utilization of such an irregularly variable source of electro-motive force for the charging of batteries, my invention contemplates the automatic varying of the time of making connection bc-t'veen the source of electromotive force and the terminals of the battery as the average value of the electromotive force varies, thus preventing the connection of the source of the electro-motive force and the battery terminals when the electro-motiveforce is less than the voltage of the battery.

Another object of my invention is the provision of improved means for closing and interrupting an electrical circuit, suchm eans being'controlled by the voltage of the current in the circuit and. being adapted to prevent the closure of the circuit when the voltage falls below a certain value, the improvement being especially useful in a battery charging system, such, for example, as is set forth herein.

In the following description I give in detail the manner of carrying out my improved methods, and in the accompanying drawings I set forth forms of my improved system for generating and storing electric currents for ignition and other purposes,

such as are at present preferred byme.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is'a View partly in side elevation and partly in section of an electr1c generator -in-accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear end elevat1onof the-same,

I the rear end plate for thecircuit closing and opening mechanism belng removed.

'Fig. 3' is a top plan-view of the electric generator. Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 5 is'a' section on the line 55 of F g.

matically.

Fig. 6 is. a section on the lined-6 of Fig I 4, with the-lighting circuit shown diagram- 'matically.

- in section of a portion of a 'governermecha Fig. -7 is a perspective view of one of the magnets detach'ed. I

Fig. 8 is a view partly in top plan and partly in section of a portion of a governor mechanism.

- Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the inductor rotor'detached.

Fig. 10 is a section on the line 1010 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 11 is a section on the line 11-511 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a perspective View of one of the breaker terminal plates detached.

Fig. 13 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section showing a modification of my invention.

Fig. 14 is a section on the line 1414 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a section on the line 15 -15 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a view partly'in plan and partly Fig. 17 is a sectional view, somewhat diagrammatic, illustrating amodification of my invention. a I

Fig. 18 is a partial rear end view of'the electric generator illustrated: in Fig; 14, 'the end plate for the breaker casing-being removed. v

Figs. 19 and 20 diagrammatically illustrate current waves.

In Figs. 1 toll inclusive of the drawings 1 indicates a suitable base, preferably of 4, with the ignition circuit shown diagramtion in the base 1. Such laminated polar projections are indicated at 2, 2' in the drawings. 3 is a pole-piece oppositely disposedTtQthe combined base 1 and polar j ti a y In the illustrated embodiment of my-inv'e'n tion thisupper'pole-piece carries twodownwardly extending projections 4 and 5, each of whichis preferably" formed of soft iron or steel laminae;, 'embeddedi in the mass 3. The pole-piece or mass 3 may consist of a grade of soft iron suitable for casting, and

the laminated polar projections may be em- 1 bedded in the said pol esplece .or 'mass' by casting, or molding,.the='mass around them. In practice I have found this to be a highly satisfactory and economical method or proc-' ess of forming the pole-piece 3 with the laminated polar projections 4, 5, and also the pole-piece or" base 1 with laminated polar projections 2, 2- The patterns for the polepieces may be placed in the sand in order to get the desired shape within the flask, then the ends of the laminated polar projections which are to be embedded in the mass as cast may be introduced the desired distance into the cavity in. the flask and there suitably held in position... These v ends may be coated with-any suitable substance for insuring "a perfect cohesion or union between the cast metal and laminated metals. Then the cast metal may be flowed intothe flask so as to embed the ends offthe. polarproj'ections in the thus formed-pole-pieoex. It will be understood that the method just described may be varied in any desired particular, as will occur to the mind of one skivl led in the art of casting or molding.

Afterthe pole-pieces; with the laminae I polar projections have been thus formed so that'suchlaminae are integral with. the mass of the pole-piece, the. whole, if desired, may

be annealed; in which event the resulting mass is not as much subject tohysteresisj losses, as would otherwise be the case. The" worked up' in anysuitablev manner so as to be of the proper proportions.

They are held suitably disposedrelative each other by end plates 6;, 7. formed of, non- 11'0. pole pieces 1 and 3 may then be shaped, or

magnetic material. Each of such end plates =1 may at its lower end be; securedto the adjacent end of the pole-piece or base 1, in any suitable manner, as by screws 8, and at its.

upper end to the pole-piece: in a similar manner, thus providing a substantially rigid frame or structure. Y

9 are permanent magnets, preferably they are straight bar magnets. They may be prepared in any suitable or well known manner and of any desired cross-section and length. I have found it in practice advantageous to form these magnets of lamina of sheetmetal each individually hardened, for reasons well known in the art of permanent magnet clamp the laminae between them tightly together. In some instances it may 'bedesirable to magnetically insulate the laminae from each other, as by means of shellac, paper, or any suitable non-magnetic material. The magnets 9 are held in place with their lower ends in contact with the base or pole-piece 1 and their upper ends in contact with the pole-piece 3, in any suitable manner, as by means of clamping plates 12. It will suffice to describe simply one of these clamping plates. It preferably consists of a piece of metal recessed at its center as indicated at 12 to receive the nuts 11, and having at each side of said central recessed portion an extension Iorwing 12 having holes 12 for screws 13 threaded into the metal of the adjacent pole-piece, and serving when set up to force the clamping plate against the nut or nuts 11, with which it en-' gages, and to firmly clamp the adjacent end of the magnet or magnets against the pole:

piece.

14 indicates as an entirety a magnetic flux distributer or unwound inductor rotor. In the illustrated embodiment of my invention this rotor consists of a shaft 143 which may be of any suitable metal, such as steel, having near its front end an enlargement 14", and near its rear end a screw threaded section 14 a disk or plate 14 of non-magnetic material, suitably shaped metal laminae 14 of high magnetic permeability, such as soft steel, aplate or disk 14: oppositely disposed to the plate or disk 1%, a copper disk 15 forming part of a governor mechanism to be hereinafter described; a plate or disk 14' 'of non-magnetic material, more laminae 14 of magnetic material of high permeability, substantially similar shaped to the laminae 151 and arranged upon' the shaft M so that their-long axis is substantially at 90 degrees to thelong aXis of the laminae 14, a plate or disk 14 of non-magnetic material oppositely disposed to the plate or disk 14 and an elongated nut 14c which when set up serves to rigidly clamp together the various disks, laminae and shaft constituting the rotor. In practice it is advisable to key the non-magnetic disks and laminae of magnetic metal to the rotor shaft, as by means of keys 1a. It will be noted that this inductor rotor comprises two magnetic flux distributing sections, each arranged to control, independently of the other, the substantial openmg and closing of the magnetic circuit between the polar projections with which each said sectionis arranged to register. The rear end of the rotor shaft may b suitably shaped to receive any well known type of driving connection. The rear end of the shaft may carry or be connected with suitable timing mechanism or current controlling devices to be hereinafter described.

The combined base and pole-piece 1 is so formed that the polar extensions or projections, 2, 2 thereon will be disposed directly below and in the vertical transverse plane of the laminated polar projections -fl and 5, respectively. After the frame work of the magneto consisting of end plates and the two opposite pole-pieces have been rigidly assembled, the polar projections and bearing recesses in said end plates may be bored to receive the inductor rotor and, if desired, suitable anti-friction bearings 16 and 17 located concentric to the axis of the rotor.

The rotor is so shaped and proportioned that when in place the laminae 14 thereon are between the polar faces of the laminated polar projection 4 and the polar projection 2 immediately beneathit and lie in the same vertical plane transverse to the axis of the rotor as the polar projections e and 2, and similarly the laminae 1% are arranged between the polar faces of the laminated polar projection 5 and the polar projection 2, and in the same vertical plane transverse to the. axis of the rotor as the said polar projections 5 and 2.

Purely for the purpose of illustration, in Figs. 1 to 11 inclusive of the drawings is shown a magneto electric generator and parts thereof adapted to generate in the same magnetic field structure both high ten sion current suitable for jump-spark ignition and similar purposes, and low tension current suitable for battery charging, lighting, or like purposes. 18 is a winding or coil suitably shaped to surround the laminated polar projection 4 and suitably proportioned to give during the operation of the device the required electrical output for battery charging, lamp lighting, or similar purposes.

19 indicates as a whole a winding or coil capable of delivering high tension current suitable for jump-spark ignition or similar ur aoses and com )risin a suitabl Y no orhave shown one indicated as an entirety by 20.- The p r which rotates with the shaft 14 consists of a piece of metal 20 recessed to fit overthe nut 14 to which itmay be rigidly secured by means of a taper-pin 21 At the front end of the breaker mechanismf are two cams 22,23, having the long axes of.

their cam surfaces arranged at suitable angle to each other for purposes to bejhereinafter described. 6 is a casing part or element secured to the rear endpljate 6. It has a circular recess with annular flange 6 to re-,-

ceive the rearward annular extension 24,of

- the breaker box or casing 24. Within this casing on the partition 24- are arranged the insulated terminals for the low tension circuit and the low tension winding of the high tension circuit, consisting of the normally stationary plates 25, each suitabl secured to andiinsulated I from the artition 24 and having a .rearwardly exten ing projection 2 5 and carrying an adjustable contact piece 26 mounted at right angles thereto. The extreme front end of the split projection 25' is reduced to circular form and taper threaded, as indicated at 25, to receive a suitable terminalnut or binding post 27, which when set up into position will clamp the adjustable contact 26 firmly in position.

28, 28 indicate as entireties movablejor oscillating electrodes. Each comprises an arm 28' loosely pivoted, as at 28 to the partition 24 preferably a piece of hardened by it, for purposes to be hereinafter de scribed.

6 are lugs, one arranged at either side of the rear end plate 6. 30 are rearwardly extending studs or rods, each at its front end secured to the adjacent lug 6 At either side the breaker casing 24 has laterally extending lugs or projections 24, each having a slot 24 therein arranged in the arc of a circle struck from the axis of the breaker casing as a center. The studs or pins 30 each extend rearwardly through the adjacent 1 stems 3O 'limit the angular adjustment in I "either direction of the breaker casing by encurvilinear slot 24 in. the breaker casing.

The breaker casing is held yieldingly in place by means of springs 31, each arranged on the outer end of one of the stems 30. 32 are adjustment nuts for regulating the de gree of compression of said springs. The

gagement with the walls at the ends of the curvilinear slots 24 in the breaker casing.

The front end of the element or member 20 havin at its rear end cams 22,23, may be. cutto form a driving gear 33. While in the illustration this driving'gear is shown integral with parts 22, 23, it will be understood that it may be formed separately therefrom if desired: It is arranged at the frontxof the partition 6 in the casing element 6. I 34, indicates as an entirety a high tension current distributer mechanism. It may be of any suitable or well known construction adapted for use on the magneto generator herein shown. For the purpose ofillustration it'is shown as comprising a driven gear 35 meshing with the driving gear 33 and mounted on a stationary stud'shaft 36 carried by and extending rearward from the end plate 6.

37, 37 .are anti-friction: bearings carried by the shaft 36 and separately spaced from each other by spacing ring 38. The driven .gear 35 has a. forwardly extending flange or hub 35.

40 is the rotary distributer segment, made v of any suitable non-corrodible material. It is carried by the gear 35 and insulated therefrom by a suitable insulating hub or mem-- ber 41. The latter is suitably spaced relative to the shaft 36 and bearings thereon by a plate or washer 39 secured to the outer end of the shaft 36. This insulated member may be secured to gear 35 by screws 41 is a rearward extension or car on the insulating member or hub 41; 43 is a contact block centrally recessed as indicated at 43. The contact segment 40 and contact block 43 are electrically connected together and suitably secured to rotate with the insulating member 41, by means of screws 44 extending through the contact block 43 and the ear or lug 41' on the insulating block 41 and into the distributer segment 40. This construction precludes any relative movement of the parts thus connected.

45 indicates a distributer box or casing formed of. any suitable insulating material.

In the illustration itis provided with four contact terminals 46, each of these terminals comprising a stud or shaft 46", having-secured to its outer end a suitable contact terminal or binding post 46; near its end it carries a head 46 by means of which it may be held against turning relative to the distributer casing; and inside of thesaid head and loosely mounted on the stud are arranged a plurality of rollers 47 of non corrodible'metal. Preferably each of these rollers is formed with a riged or knurled periphery." They may be held from longitudinal movement on their shaft in any suitable manner, as by riveting or up-setting the end of the shaft.

48 indicates the high tension lead or conductor from the high tension winding 19. It is provided with a contact terminal 48 of any suitable construction. The one illustrated is intended to make electric contact with a binding post or terminal 49 carried by the distributer casing 45. 50 is a con- I ductor leading from the binding post or socket piece 51, so as to be movable longitudinally therein. 53 is a spring mounted in the socket 51 and arranged to normally pressthe brush 52 forward and into engagement with the vertical wall of the recess in i the contact block 43.

In order to react against any tendency which may be present for magnetic flux leakage as between the polar faces of two opposing polar projections and the corresponding flux distributing section of the inductor rotor and from the polar faces of said inductor section to the adjacent magnets,. stationary, short circuited copper circuits 54, may bearranged, if desired, one at either side of each of-the flux distributing'sections of the inductor rotor, and each suitably insulated from and secured in posi tion relative to adjacent stationary metal parts. Each of these copper circuits is preferably disposed so as to surround any flux tending to leak from either polar face of the rotor to the adjacent magnet, more particularly whenthe long axis of the flux dis- .tributing section is substantiallv at right angles to the magnets. It will be noted that the counter magneto motive force'set up by any current flowing in such short circuited coil will oppose the flux tending to thread 5 through such coil from the polar faces of the inductor. Accordingly the said copper circuits 54 actto compel the flux variations to take place substantially entirely through the magnetic paths controlled and determined by the positions of the flux distributing sections of the rotor and their corresponding pole pieces.

lVhen it is desired to charge a storage battery from the low tension current circuit of the magneto generator, that is from the winding 18, I have found it advisable to in terpose in the circuit between the storage battery and the generator winding 18, not alone the circuit breaker controlled by the cam 22, but also a governor mechanism for opening and closing the battery charging circuit according to whether or not the voltage of the magneto generator is less or 'reater, respectively, than the voltage of the battery. It will be noted that were the circuit from the low tension generating winding 18 always closed during the rotation or frame of the magneto.

oscillation of the inductor rotor, an alternating current would be generated in said winding. I have so arranged the maker and breaker controlling that current, that the circuit is only made or closed during the generating in the said winding 18 of current waves established or-generated by flux decrease through the said generating winding,

the said circuit being opened during the time when the opposite or waves due to flux increase would be generated. By means of such maker and breaker it will be understood that use is made of a direct pulsating current. The governor is necessary for the purpose of insuring that the circuit to they battery will be closed only when the voltage of the generating winding circuit is equal to or superior to that of the battery to be charged. This governor mechanism is indicated as an entirety-by 58. Referring now particularly to Figs. 6 and 8, 59 indicates a storage battery of any suitable voltage. 60 indicates a conductor leading from the winding 18 to the maker and breaker controlled by the cam 22. 61 is a conductor leading from said maker and breaker to the ground or frame of the magneto. 62 is. a conductor leading from ground or frame of the magneto to one pole of the battery 59. 63 is a conductor leading from the other terminal 'of said battery to an insulated terminal or binding post 64, suitably carried by the 65 is a. conductor leading from the other end of the generating winding 18 to the binding post or terminal 66 insulated from and carried by a part of the magneto frame.

67 is a'spring at its lower end in electric contact with conductor 65 and at its upper end carrying contact point 68, which contact point is adapted to move into and out of engagement with stationary contact point 69 electrically connected with the binding post '64 and suitably insulated upon the frame of the magneto. 70 is a relatively long stiff spring suitably secured at its upper end to the magneto frame and carrying at its lower end a comparatively small mag- I net 71, which may be either permanent or electromagnet. In the drawings a permanent magnet is -shown. This magnet 71 straddles the upper portion of the copper disk 15, secured to and rotating with the inductor rotor; 72 is a button interposed between the spring 67 and the adjacent end of the magnet 71. It is insulated upon the latter, and may be made of fiber, if desired. 73 is an adjustment screw for regulating the tension of the spring 70. This-screw may be locked in proper position by lock nut 73. Where a governor of the type ust described is used in the magneto, the construction is somewhat simplified by forming the central pair of magnet clamping plates 12 for one side of the field magnet structure,

tor leading from movable arm 28 to theground. 102- is a conductor leading from the other terminal of coil 19 to the ground. 103 is acondenser placed in parallel with the Contact points 26 and 28" 104 indicate spark plugs or spark gaps'in the circuit of the high tension or fine winding 19, which also contains the distri'buter 34, the said circuit being completed through the ground and conductor 108.

In Figs. 13 to 18 is shown a modification of the magneto generator hereinbefore described, consisting essentially of a difi'erent style of circuit closing and opening mechanism for the low tension circuit, than the one which is hereinbefore describedin connection with a battery charging circuit and also of a somewhat difierent arrangement of the coarse and fine generatorwindings ofv the high tension-or sparking circuit. It will not be necessary to describe in detail all of the parts of the generator employed in the modification, as those which are the same as v the ones heretofore described have similar designating characters. It will be noted that in this modification the circuit maker.

and breaker for the ignition system is lo-. cated at one end, the rear end, of the generator, whereas the circuit maker and breaker for the lighting system is located at the opposite, or front end of the generator. It

will be understood that these relative ositions of the breakers may be reverse if desired. Furthermore, it is not thought necessary to describe the ignition system circuit maker and breaker,'which may be of any preferred form and is substantially the same as the one heretofore illustrated and described for the same purpose with the exception of an ear or lug 24 carrying a contact piece 24 with which the movable electrodemay engageto limit its outward movement, and in addition thereto the insulated terminal construction is slightly different, but obviously doesnot require description.

The maker and breaker mechanism for the lighting circuit is designated as an entirety by 76and is arranged between the front end plateof the magneto and the clutch coupling-llO on the inductor'shaft. The same style of cam may be used in this breaker as the one heretofore described and is desigmay be positioned rigidly on'the shaft 14,

in any well known manner not shown. I prefer to construct this lighting cam 22, however, so that it is angularly adjustable 1 relative to the axis of the. inductor shaft in order that the cam may easily be properly set so as to open and close the lighting circuit substantially onlywhen the voltage of the generating windings in the lighting circuit is superior to thevoltage of the battery. For this purpose the cam 22 is shown as radially serrated or grooved .on one faceand the adj acentface of the coupling 140 is similarly serrated or grooved. The cam 22 may therefore be adjusted to the desired position and thereupon the coupling element 1&0 moved into engagement therewith and secured againstangular movement relative to the inductor shaft 14% The normally stationary contact point 26 and its mount- .ing is similar to that hereinbefore described and the movable electrode 28 is likewise similar to the one hereinbefore described, with the exception that its free end is extended as indicated at 28 so as to project into the path ofa movable control element or stop 77. This stop is-carried by an armature 78 of an electro-magnet comprising a pair of bars 79, preferably magnetically polarized, carrying taper'p'ivot pins 80, each 7 seated in taper sockets 78 of th e' armature 78 and held in engagement with the walls thereof by means of a spring 81 secured at its front end to a rear extension on stop. 77 and at its other end to the base 82 of the electro-magnet, which latter is in turn secured by .screws 83 to the end plate 7. 84 is an adjustable magnet core. It is screwthreaded as indicatedat 84' and fitted into a similarly threaded passageway 82 through the base 82, so that'the core may be adjusted longitudinally relative to the free end "of the armature 78. 85 is the coil of the electro-magnet suitably insulated from the base 82 and supported thereby. 86 is an adj ust-. able stop for limiting the outward move- 'ment ofthe free end of the armature and tending to prevent the oscillation thereof. It may be provided at its inner end with a point 86 of rawhide or other suitable-material for buifeting or cushioning the impact between it and the armature.

The electric current for operating the electro-magnetic control of the circuit maker and breaker maybe derived from any. suitable source. For this purpose I prefer to select a source depending upon the speed' of rotation of the inductor rotor and the magnetic density'of the field in which the generating coil of the lighting circuit is located. Accordingly I have arranged,

preferably upon the sa'me pole piece'el on which the lighting coil 18 is arranged, a generating winding .87 consisting of a few turns, preferably, of fine wire so that this winding 87 in itself and through its reaction will notmaterially affect the magnetic flux variation in the pole piece 4 and'light coil 18. One terminal of this coil 87 is connected to the ground, as indicated at 88, and at its other end it is connected to one of the terminals of the winding '85, the other terminal of which latter is connected to the ground as indicated at 89.

In Fig. 13 itwill be noted that the primary winding 19 is arranged as closely adjacent to the polar face or tip of the pole piece 5 as it can be gotten and that the fine wire Winding 19 is disposed above it and as closely adjacent to the iron of the pole piece 5 as it is possible to get it, for purposes to be hereinafter described.

The numerals 2 and 3 on the distributer section 43, as illustrated in Fig. 11, indi,

cate, when brought into registry with the glazed opening 105 of the end section 6, as illustrated in Fig. 1, that the device is distributing either .to cylinder 2 or 3 as the case-may be. It will be understood that the numerals 1 and 4 (not shown) may also be carried by the distributer section 43.

In order to hold together properly for assembling purposes the lamina of the polar projection, soft iron binders or end plates 106 may be employed as illustrated Figs. 4 and 13. Y

At 107 (Figs. 5 and 11) I have indlcated safety spark gaps for the high tenslon 01rcuit.

In operation, assuming that therotor 14 is in the position indicated in Figs. 4 and 5, substantially all the flux issuing from the poles of the permanent magnets 9 will find a path of least reluctance through the pole piece 3, polar projection 5, inductor laminae 14 and pole piece or base 1 and back to the other poles of the magnets. At substantially that instant the maker and breaker of the ignition circuit is closed, that is, the electrode 28 is in engagement with the electrode 26, or in other terms, the coarse winding 19 is short-circuited upon itself. If now the inductor rotor is moved in the direc tion indicated by arrow in Fig. 5, the polar faces of the laminated section 14 commence to move away from the polar faces of the pole pieces 2' and 5, and at the same time the polar faces of the laminated section 14 enter between the polar faces of the polar projections 2 and 4. At this period the reluctance of the magnetic circuit between the polar projections 2" and 5 increases, whereas simultaneously the reluctance between the polar projections 2 and 4 is decreasing, ac-

the relative apparent reluctance of the two then existing magnetic paths open to the flux, because of the fact that the winding 19, that is the coarse winding on the polar projection 5 is short-circuited upon itself and therefore its self induction tends to oppose flux variation through the coil 19. As the rotation in this direction continues the reluctance of the path between the polar projections 2 and 4' decreases and that between polar projections 2 and 5 increases simultaneously until the critical point is reached at which the tendency to'fiux change reaches its maximum, at or about which point the cam 23 positively opens the circuit of the winding 19 and the magnetic flux still threading through the coils 19' and 19 being suddenly unchoked finds an immediate path of low reluctance between the polar projections 2 and 4, as at this time the laminated inductor section 14 establishes a path directly between the last two mentioned polar projections. Under these conditions the rate of flux variation through the windings 19 and 19 is so high as to cause a current of high tension to be generated in such windings which is manifested by a spark at one of the spark gaps 104. It will be noted that while this flux change was taking place due to the decreasing flux threading through the generator windings 19 and 19", and a substantially corresponding increase of flux variation was taking place through the winding 18, the circuit of this latter winding was open, the construction of this cam 22 and the circuit making and opening mechanism positively insuring the maintenance of this open circuit at this time. Therefore no work was required of or was done by the flux in forcing its way through the winding 18 and consequently this winding lent substantially no opposition to the flux variation as between the polar projections 2 and 4 on the one hand and the polar projections 2' and 5 on the other. Continuing the rotation of the inductor in the same direction, the polar faces of the laminated inductor section 14 and 14 moving relative to the polar faces of the polar projections 2, 4 and 2, 5, respectively, cause continuing changes in paths of least magnetic reluctance, the reluctance be tween the polarprojections 2 and 5 decreasing and that between the polar projections 2 and 4 increasing as the case may be. As soon as this change inpaths of least-magnetic'reluctance tends to cause a decrease of magnetic flux density through the winding 18, the cam 22 will permit the engagement of the electrodes 26 and 28 in the lighting circuit. This will close the circuit to the battery, providing that the governor 58 has operated to close the circuit, "which governor for its control is dependent upon the speed of the rotation of the disk 15 andaccordingly of the inductor rotor. The governor may be so adjusted that. it will only close the circuit when the speed of the in-' ductor is such as to insure variations in flux density in the generating winding 18 Sum-- -cient to establish a voltage equal to or superior to the battery voltage. It. will be understood that the rotation of the copper disk 15 in the-field of the magnet 71 will be opposed by reaction of the eddy currents set up in said disk and that such reactionswill exert a pull or drag, on the magnet in the direction of rotation of the disk 15. The amount of this pull or drag is dependent upon the speed of rotation of the disk 15, and accordingly the spring 70 may be adjusted so that the contact 68 will move into engagement with contact 69 only when the speed of rotation of the disk 15 has reached 7 a predetermined point which will insure that the E. M. F. of the winding 18 is equal during increase of flux therethrough so that during increase of flux through the wound pole pieces there is 'no loss-of energy from self-induction of the windings. On' theother hand, during decrease'of flux through the windings, the winding circuits are closed, and it remains to be observedthat the resuiting self-induction of the generating coils is taken advantage of, in the case of the low tension circuit to regulate the voltage thereof, itbeing understood that such regulation is desirable when the current is used direct to energize the lamps. will be readily observed'that although the voltage in the generating winding 18 increases proportionately to the rotor speed, the fre-, quency increases in like proportion and hence the current in the work'circuit will not increase in like amount because the inductive resistance of the winding increases proportionately to the frequency. Thus the voltage in the external part of -the work circuit can, in a large measure,-,be regulated by a proper proportionating ofthe generating winding.

However, this inherent voltage'regulation is supplemented in an important manner by the cooperative action of the work circuit and ignition circuit resulting from'the'a'peculiar interrelation of these circuits which I characterizes my invention; Referring to Fig. 4:, it will be observed that whilev the polar projections 4: and 5 are laminated,

for the reasons hereinbefore stated, the pole piece 3 in which their upper ends are embedded is a unitary 'mass and consequently when the magnetic flux shifts through said mass from one polar projection to the other, eddy currents are set up in the mass having- "the parts I secure a com the shift of the flux it is apparent that they have -the effect of diminishing increase of voltage due toincrease in speed. While this effect of the eddy currents is present in the case of both the work circuit and the ignition circuit, its value attaches to the regulatingefi'ectpn the work circuit. By a suitable arrangement and proportioning of ined regulating action due to the self-induetion of the low tension generating winding, on the one hand, and the eddy currents, in the pole piece 3, on the other hand, which has made it unnecessary to provide any special regulating apparatus to control the voltage of the work circuit.

In the modified fornr of magneto generator illustrated in Figs. 13 to '18 the circuit closing" and opening mechanism for the lighting circuit operated by the cam-22 is fautomat-ically controlled so that it only closes when the voltage of the generating winding 18 is. equal to or superior to the battery voltage. The generating winding 87 for energizing the electro-magnetic winding lies in the same magnetic field and is acted upon andfrea'cts upon the same magnetic flux as the generating winding 18. v The E. M. 'F. of this winding 87 is dependent upon flux variations ,in the polar projection 4 which is in turn dependent upon the speed of rotation of inductor rotor 14. And in like manner is the E. M. F. of the generating winding 18 determined. Consequently the core 84: of the electro-magnet may be so adjusted relative tothe armature 78 as to attract thesaid armature and'draw. its free end-toward the, core only when the voltage of the generating winding 87 has reacheda predetermined value, and at which time the voltage of the generating winding .18 is necessarilyequalto or superior to the voltage of the b'atte'r'y inthe circuit. Normally the cam 22 periodically engages the arm28 so astofifl'ls the electrode 28 to move away f amers-enema; '26., As long as the stop 77 'is iii the path of movement of the end-28 of the arm 28, the electrode .28' cannotfenga c with the electrode f '26 and'closje the -lig ting circuiti In fact,"it .is only when the stop 77, which iselectro magnetically-controlled, has been shifted or swung out ofthepath oftravel of the point 28, that the-electrode'28 may engage with thegfelectrode-28;;toIclose the circuit. Thej'coref84 as previously mentioned, may

bereadily 'adjustediso' as t9 attract the free end of the armature 78 and swing'stop 77 predetermined value and insures that the 'voltage'of the winding 18 will be equal to but of the path-of the end 28 only when w the voltage of the winding 87 reaches a upon to do any work in getting into posh I tro-magnetic coil 85 so as to cause the attraction of the armature 78, the stop .7 7 will instantly and always under such circumstances swing into the path of movement'of the arm 28. In other words,.in this modified construction, I have provided for automatically closing the lighting through a single make and break -mechanism in such manner that the lighting circuit will be closed for battery charging only when its voltage is equal to or superior to the voltage of the battery.

In Fig. 13, as hereinbefore described, the coarse winding 19 of the high tension or sparking circuit is arranged as closely as possible adjacent to the polar-face or tip of the polar projection 4t, and the fine winding 19 is disposed above, or adjoining it, and arranged as closely as possible to the metal of the olar projection t. It will be understood tiat during flux decrease through the windings 19 and 19 thus arranged, the

windin 19 is short-circuited upon itself througii the instrumentality of the closing of its circuit closing and opening mechanism controlled by the cam 23 and as this short circuited winding is located on the very tip of the polepiece its tendency to oppose fluX decrease is considerably enhanced. In the meantime the winding 19 is in open circuit and is only closed when a spark or are takes place between the terminals of one of the spark plugs in its circuit, whi h will occur at the moment when the circuit of the winding 19 is opened, through the instrumentality of the cam 23, and at which instant the rate of flux change is very high, as the windings 19 and 19 being in open circuit offer substantially no self inductive 'action to such a flux change. The potential across the spark plug terminals due to this very high rate of change of magnetic flux density will reach a point where the dielectric thereb'etween will be broken down and an are or spark accordingly manifested. It can be thus seen that the winding 19 does not alone act as a so-called primary for the fine winding 19 and its electromagnetic finductive action on that winding is added to that due to the direct inducing action of the flux of the permanent magnetic field.-

The fine wire winding 19 is truly a direct high; tension current generatlng windmg, and this being the case, it 1s now evldent circuit that such a winding should be placed as close to the iron core or polar projection as possible. Thus by this construction I succeed in greatly increasing therdirect generating action of the varying fiux'on the winding 19 and can obtain a higher voltage with fewer convolutions of wire, and accordingly a very much larger current through the fine winding, than it would be possible to obtainwere a great many more convolutions required to obtain a like potential between the terminals of the spark plug. It will be also noted that a small fraction of the energy of self induction stored in the winding 19 discharges itself through the winding 19 thus increasing the current value of the spark and therefore its heat.

In Fig. 19 I have represented a sine curve for the purpose of graphically illustrating the idea of making and breaking the ignition circuit at predetermined points of the E. M.-- F. curve. It will be noted that the circuit maker and breaker should operate to close the circuit only duringthat period of flux variations through the windings 19 and 19 when the flux is decreasing, and the circuit should be closed say for example at a, and opened at Z) or any other points when the voltage is suflicient to cause a spark to occur atthe desired spark gap or gaps. In Fig. 20 I have illustrated a sine curve, in order to show graphically the E. M. Rwave of the lighting circuit. Here again the circuit should only be closed when there is flux decrease in the winding 18 and during the 100 time when the voltage of the said-generatingwinding is equal to or superior to'volt-' age of battery, say for example it will be closed at c and opened at (Z. In each'of these curves the full lines indicate the pe- 05 riods during which the circuits are closed and the dotted lines indicate open circuit and one curve is arranged above the other to show that but one of the generating circuits is closed at any given instant.

. .lVhi'le the current enerated in the coil 18 can be used direct for lighting incandescent electric lamps, I prefer to use it for charging a storage battery from which the lamps receive current, because the presence 115 of the storage batteryin circuit with the winding 18 acts as a capacity tending to neutralize the self induction of the generating winding, consequently, the current output of the magneto as a generator charging 120 a storage battery is relatively greater than it would be if it were connected directly to a lamp load.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates, many alterations in con- 125 struction and widely different embodiments and applications of my invention will suggest themselves, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. My description and disclosures herein are purely illustra- 13K 

